He speaks of his troubles in Asia. His not coming to them was not out
of levity. The constancy and sincerity of his doctrine.
1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother: to the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the
saints that are in all Achaia:
1:2. Grace unto you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
1:3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies and the God of all comfort:
1:4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we also may be able
to comfort them who are in all distress, by the exhortation wherewith
we also are exhorted by God.
1:5. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us: so also by Christ
doth our comfort abound.
1:6. Now whether we be in tribulation, it is for your exhortation and
salvation: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation: or
whether we be exhorted, it is for your exhortation and salvation, which
worketh the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer.
1:7. That our hope for you may be steadfast: knowing that as you are
partakers of the sufferings, so shall you be also of the consolation.
1:8. For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, of our tribulation
which came to us in Asia: that we were pressed out of measure above our
strength, so that we were weary even of life.
1:9. But we had in ourselves the answer of death, that we should not
trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.
1:10. Who hath delivered and doth deliver us out of so great dangers:
in whom we trust that he will yet also deliver us,
1:11. You helping withal in prayer for us. That for this gift obtained
for us, by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many in
our behalf.
1:12. For our glory is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in
simplicity of heart and sincerity of God, and not in carnal wisdom, but
in the grace of God, we have conversed in this world: and more
abundantly towards you.
1:13. For we write no other things to you than what you have read and
known. And I hope that you shall know unto the end.
1:14. As also you have known us in part, that we are your glory: as you
also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:15. And in this confidence I had a mind to come to you before, that
you might have a second grace:
1:16. And to pass by you into Macedonia: and again from Macedonia to
come to you, and by you to be brought on my way towards Judea.
1:17. Whereas then I was thus minded, did I use lightness? Or, the
things that I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that there
should be with me, It is, and It is not?
1:18. But God is faithful: for our preaching which was to you, was not,
It is, and It is not.
1:19. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by
us, by me and Sylvanus and Timothy, was not: It is and It is not. But,
It is, was in him.
It is, was in him. . .There was no inconstancy in the doctrine of the
apostles, sometimes, like modern sectaries, saying, It is, and at other
times saying, It is not. But their doctrine was ever the same, one
uniform yea, in Jesus Christ, one Amen, that is, one truth in him.
1:20. For all the promises of God are in him, It is. Therefore also by
him, amen to God, unto our glory.
1:21. Now he that confirmeth us with you in Christ and that hath
anointed us, is God:
1:22. Who also hath sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our
hearts.
1:23. But I call God to witness upon my soul that to spare you, I came
not any more to Corinth: not because we exercise dominion over your
faith: but we are helpers of your joy. For in faith you stand.